I should be clear that I do not have this collection of prints. I have seen one once, but frankly, only 1000 were made and it is over my current budget. I can assure you that the quality of the prints, the presentation and the minimalist quality is absolutely stunning!
It was shot by Hiroshi Hamaya and are photographs of his wife. The book was prepared for her funeral and includes 24 prints. They are of a happy time in the couples life, and is very touching to see them. The books were made for family and friends. The only color is what you see here in the title, written in red. Everything else is in black and white.
I believe that there is a certain art, not just in the photographs, but in the presentation. Here Hamaya created a new standard of presentation and, coupled with the images, makes for a magnificent book.
It was shot by Hiroshi Hamaya and are photographs of his wife. The book was prepared for her funeral and includes 24 prints. They are of a happy time in the couples life, and is very touching to see them. The books were made for family and friends. The only color is what you see here in the title, written in red. Everything else is in black and white.
I believe that there is a certain art, not just in the photographs, but in the presentation. Here Hamaya created a new standard of presentation and, coupled with the images, makes for a magnificent book.
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Several of the images are dedicated to the tea making ceremony. Here she is gathering water. Everything from the dress to the hand motions is carefully choreographed to create an art of tea making.
The book, and Hamaya's photographic style compliment this attention to detail. Everything has a purpose, nothing additional, nothing that does not contribute to the whole. Note that the writing is very basic and the descriptions vey clear. These photographs all date from the late 1940's early 1950's. But the dress is traditional, the furniture and gardens could have been from 500 years ago, or they could be taken today. |
While I cannot recommend purchasing this book, far too hard to find and expensive once found, I can highlight it as what true art can look like when all details are taken into consideration. Here we have a photographer with a clear love and wonderful respect for his wife. She celebrates her life the way she would like to be seen. The images shared with friends and family are not intimate, they are ritualistic but for the Japanese of that time, ritual was important. In spite of their lack of intimacy, there is a delicate warmth to them. This is not robotic, or documentary it is a work of love, careful shared with those that knew and loved her.
